NewKerala.com

Premier League, Spurs Unite Against Racist Abuse of Defender Kevin Danso

The Premier League has issued a forceful statement condemning the racist abuse directed at Tottenham Hotspur defender Kevin Danso on social media. It stated that such discrimination has no place in football or society and that offenders are "not welcome in our game." Tottenham Hotspur separately condemned the "vile, dehumanizing racism" aimed at Danso following a match error, offering him their complete support. Both entities warned of the strongest possible consequences, including club bans and legal prosecution, for anyone identified.

Key Points: Premier League Condemns Racist Abuse of Tottenham's Kevin Danso

  • Strong condemnation of racist abuse
  • Warning of bans and prosecution
  • Spurs pledge full support to Danso
  • Call for collective action with tech platforms
2 min read

Not welcome in our game': Premier League reacts after Spurs condemn racial abuse of Danso

Premier League and Tottenham Hotspur condemn vile racist abuse targeting defender Kevin Danso online, warning of bans and legal action for offenders.

"Discriminatory abuse has absolutely no place in football or wider society. Anybody who chooses to abuse others is not welcome in our game - Premier League"

London, April 19

The Premier League has strongly condemned the racist abuse directed at Tottenham Hotspur defender Kevin Danso on social media, reiterating that discrimination has no place in football or wider society and warning of the strongest possible consequences for offenders.

"Discriminatory abuse has absolutely no place in football or wider society. Anybody who chooses to abuse others is not welcome in our game, and they are not a true fan," the Premier League said in a statement released on X.

The Premier League also acknowledged the continuing challenge of tackling online racism despite repeated campaigns and enforcement measures. It stressed the need for collective action involving clubs, authorities and technology platforms to curb such incidents.

"It is clear that more needs to be done to address this issue, and we will work alongside clubs, football bodies, law enforcement and social media companies to ensure this remains a priority for all," the statement said.

Reinforcing its commitment to accountability, the league warned that strict punitive action would follow against identified offenders.

"Any individuals identified and found guilty of discrimination will face the strongest possible consequences, including club bans and legal prosecution," it added.

The statement comes after Tottenham Hotspur publicly condemned "vile, dehumanizing racism" directed at Danso following their 2-2 draw against Brighton. Spurs confirmed they had reported the abuse to authorities and pledged full support for the defender, saying he would never stand alone in the face of discrimination.

Danso was targeted online after an error in the match led to Brighton's late equalizer, but the club stressed that performance on the pitch can never justify racist behaviour.

"Kevin has our complete and unconditional support as a player and as a person. No one at this club will ever stand alone in the face of this.

"Nothing about form or league position can ever excuse or explain racist abuse. There is no connection between performance on the pitch and the right to target a player with discrimination.

"We have heard and seen vile, dehumanizing racism. Behaviour that is without doubt a criminal offence. It will not be tolerated," Spurs said in an official statement on Sunday.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Strong statements are good, but where is the action? Social media platforms need to be held accountable. They have the technology to identify and ban these accounts instantly. It's 2024. Until there are real, tangible consequences from the platforms themselves, these vile people will just keep creating new accounts.
P
Priya S
As an Indian football fan, this hits close to home. We see how players from the North-East or with darker skin tones are sometimes treated in our own leagues and online. Education is key. Clubs should run mandatory workshops for fan groups. Football is a beautiful game that unites people—let's not allow a few to spoil it for everyone.
R
Rohit P
Fully support the club and the league. But I have to ask—why is the punishment always just a "ban"? These are criminal offences. Names should be made public and they should face legal prosecution. A lifetime ban from all football stadiums in the country is the minimum. Shame on these so-called "fans".
M
Michael C
Respect to Tottenham for standing so firmly with their player. The line "he will never stand alone" is powerful. That's what a real club culture looks like. It's a shame it takes incidents like this to remind us, but the response sets the right example for teams everywhere, including here in India.
K
Kavya N
The part about "dehumanizing racism" is so true. These trolls forget there's a real person with feelings and a family on the other side. We need more empathy in the world, full stop. Good on the Premier League for calling it out. Hope Danso

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50